Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Case Study Essay

I. Take a moment, and point at the computer screen. Notice that your index finger is extended and your other fingers are curled into your palm. How did your hand know to do that? It all began in your brain, the starting point for an important chain of communication. Your brain ordered nerve cells, to activate

Have you ever heard of ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease? For many people, ALS is a disorder that they may not know much about. I never heard of it either until my father was diagnosed with this disease in 2006. Because there is no known cure, it is important to detect this disease early, so that proper treatments and preparation can be done before it’s too late.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease is a classified as a degenerative neurological disorder that inhibits motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain to function properly. This disease eventually results in paralysis and imminent death over a period of time. ALS patients have anywhere from a few months, to a couple years to live after diagnosis since their nervous systems are slowly destroyed, rendering the body useless, and sustaining life impossible.

They may develop alone or in combination, but as the disease progresses, all are usually present. There is no true paralysis. The symptoms are always bilateral but usually involve one side early in the illness. Because the onset is insidious, the beginning of symptoms is difficult to document. Early in the disease, reflex status, sensory status, and mental status usually are normal. Postural abnormalities (flexed, forward leaning), difficulty walking, and weakness develop. Speech may be slurred. Autonomic-neuroendocrine symptoms include inappropriate diaphoresis, orthostatic hypotension, drooling, gastric retention, constipation, and urinary retention. Depression is also prevalent.

Signs and symptoms are not as simple as the common cold or fevers, as they differentiate depending on the location of where the neuron is damage. Common signs are: numbed limbs, partial or complete loss of vision, loss of coordination in gait, dizziness, or conflicts with inner organs such as bladder complications (MedlinePlus). For example the patient has symptoms of poor coordination, it could be that case that the loss of coordination in locomotion was because of the muscle fibers may not receive an electrical impulse that is required for a specific movement. Different cases depend on which type of MS

The first symptoms of this ailment include variable degrees of weakness or tingling feelings in the legs. In many cases, the weakness and uncharacteristic sensations spread to the arms and upper body.

As stated in the case study, the reason why the symptoms are muscular is that the nerves that control the muscles begin to function improperly and die off. Once the nerves die, the muscles aren’t being used anymore and begin to atrophy, leading to the lack of muscular function seen in Cecil’s journal (Fleming, 2012). Similar to question 2, ALS symptoms have to do with nerve cells. The nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary movement (called motor neurons) degenerate and die. This causes a lack of voluntary muscle control, which is evidenced by the symptoms of the disease (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2014).

ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and overall respiratory failure. It can also cause trouble breathing and swallowing.

Approximately seventy-five percent of patients first experience "limb onset”, which includes difficulty with activities like writing, wrist movements, and awkwardness while walking or running, causing patients to end up tripping and falling. Twenty five percent of patients experience "bulbar onset”, which includes issues with speaking and swallowing abilities (Facts You Should Know 2010). Surprisingly, lung and eye infections are common among those with ALS. The majority of people die from respiratory failure around two to five years after being diagnosed as a result of onset symptoms (NINDS 2013). Not many people know just how serious this disease is, but unfortunately it ends up taking victims quite early after being

Two other characteristics are involved in the disease process: inflammation and the formation of lesions or plaques in the central nervous system – or CNS (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Lesions are formed when oligodendrocytes – myelin-building cells – are lost causing the myelin sheath to thin or even completely breakdown leaving the nerve axon exposed and unable to send effective signals to your muscles (Huether and McCance, 2008). The oligodendrocytes attempt to remyelinate the axons but with multiple attacks, the

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease in the U.S. is a widely known debilitating disease that effects the upper and lower motor neurons in the nervous system. The degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons in turn cause muscle atrophy and chronic loss of muscle use. ALS is the most common of the five motor neuron disease. Heredity is a major cause of ALS but can show up in any patients. ALS usually presents itself in late middle age but can show up in children and even young adults.

Mrs. A was recently diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). ALS is a progressive spinal disorder that causes the myelin sheath of the neurons to disintegrate and harden (sclerosis) which in turn inhibits the synapses of nerve impulses across the body. Mrs. A initially started having difficulties grasping objects and performing simple tasks such as buttoning her shirts. She then decided to visit her physician.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) is a group of neurological diseases that mainly involve the nerve cells responsible for coordinating voluntary movements in body muscles (Salameh, Brown Jr, and Berry 26). Voluntary muscles are responsible for movements like talking, walking, and chewing. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is progressive in nature, and with no known cure, a victim can expect to live between 2 and 5 years after diagnosis (Salameh et al. 27).

The physical symptoms make performing day to day tasks are a difficulty, and problems with chewing occur. The symptoms progress to get worse over time and the symptoms can be different for each patient. Parkinson’s and ALS patients go through similar physical symptoms that affect their body the first symptom is tremor which begins with hands shaking. An author suggests that “the trembling may spread to both sides and be accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slowing of movement, and deterioration in balance and coordination( ). Parkinson’s and ALS are both progressive diseases meaning that the symptoms progress to get worse over time, and the symptoms are different for each patient. Both diseases affect the body from experiencing tremors which affect the arms to rigid muscles affecting the way the patients walk. statements can be made. The most common initial symptom is a tremor. Symptoms of tremor or slowness usually begin on one side of the body, often involving either an arm or leg. Over time (in some people, 5 years or more) In the story Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch expresses that “ALS is a lit candle, it melts away your nerves and leaves your body a pile of wax. Often, it begins with the legs and works its way up. You lose control of your thigh muscles so that you cannot support yourself standing”

All individuals with ALS will develop speaking and swallowing problems during the course of the disease progression. The muscles that control speaking and swallowing are controlled by the medulla or referred to as “bulb” or “bulbar” due to its shape. When someone is diagnosed with bulbar-onset ALS that means that the first distinguishable issue arose from weakness of the face, throat, and neck muscles. Dysarthria and dysphagia are common in patients with ALS due to progressive muscle weakness. Dysarthria is characterized by slurred or slow speech that can be difficult for other people to understand. Dysphagia is term for have difficulty or discomfort in swallowing. Speech therapist will consistently evaluate the patient’s speech and ability to communicate so that they can help find alternatives to use or to recommend